Often viewed as counterparts in the world of large, conservative reality TV families, the Bates and Duggar families both rose to fame through similar lifestyles but developed distinct public identities over time. Like the Duggar family, the Bates family first got their start on TLC with the 2012 premiere of “United Bates of America.”
While their TLC run lasted only one season, it was not the end of reality television for the Bates family. Their reality TV show, “Bringing Up Bates,” aired for 11 seasons on UPtv from 2015 to 2021. While the film crews have stopped rolling, the family hasn’t stopped growing. The newest addition to the Bates clan entered the world on April 24, 2026. Read on to discover more about the newest Bates grandchild.
Bates Family Grows Again as Zach Bates and Whitney Bates Welcome Baby No. 6
Like Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar, Gil and Kelly Jo Bates are the proud parents of 19 children. Their oldest son, Zach Bates, and his wife, Whitney Bates, just welcomed their sixth child. This newest addition also marks the arrival of Gil and Kelly Jo’s 40th grandchild.
Whitney Bates took to social media to share the happy news with fans. The former reality star posted a carousel of sweet photos with their baby girl. Bates captioned her post, “4/24 at 3:23 our world got even sweeter. Me and baby are healthy and doing so good!”
She added, “Zach and I can’t say thank you enough for all of the love and prayers yall have poured over us the last couple days!! We are in our newborn bubble and I never want to leave!!”
Whitney closed out her caption by writing, “The last few days have been some of the sweetest of my life I can’t wait to share more with yall. Thanking Jesus for all his blessings on me and my little family!”
Fans Celebrate the Arrival of Gil and Kelly Jo Bates’s 40th Grandchild
As soon as Whitney Bates posted the heartwarming family announcement to Instagram, fans quickly flooded the comment section with supportive messages.
One fan wrote, “Oh my gosh, Whitney, she is seriously so precious!! Congratulations, you guys!!”
Another fan added, “Whitney, you are superwoman! Great job, mama! So happy for you guys!!”
A third fan chimed in, writing, “She is Beautiful! You look amazing, Whitney! Congratulations to the sweetest people.”
Several of Zach’s younger sisters also joined in on the celebration in the comments.
Carlin Bates Stewart wrote, “She is so perfect!!”
Katie Bates Clark added, “Can’t wait to meet her.”
Josie Bates Balka summed up the comment section best, writing, “The most perfect little angel.”
Many longtime fans noted how special the announcement felt, especially for viewers who have followed Zach Bates and Whitney Bates since their early days on reality TV. The couple has shared much of their parenting journey publicly, making the arrival of baby No. 6 another milestone supporters were eager to celebrate.
Inside Zach Bates and Whitney Bates’s Growing Family
Along with their newest addition, Zach and Whitney are the proud parents of five other children. The oldest Bates son married his wife, Whitney Perkins, in December 2013.
The couple welcomed their first child, Bradley Gilvin Bates, in October 2014. Bradley Bates is the oldest among all of Gil and Kelly Jo’s grandchildren.
Zach and Whitney welcomed their second child and first daughter, Kaci Lynn Bates, into the family in June 2016.
The couple expanded their family again in November 2019 with the birth of their third child, Khloe Eileen Bates.
In June 2021, Bradley got the younger brother he had long hoped for when Jadon Carl Bates was born.
Zach and Whitney’s fifth child and third daughter, Lily Jo Bates, joined the family in August 2023.
While they’ve already announced the arrival of their fourth daughter and sixth child, fans will have to stay tuned to find out what the happy couple named their newest addition.
The arrival of grandchild No. 40 adds yet another milestone to the ever-expanding Bates family.
